JOHANNES DE CAPUA, DAS IST DAS BUCH DER WYSSHEIT, STRASSBURG, GRUENINGER, 1501, LATER VELLUM

folio (272 x 192mm.), woodcut illustration on title-page, woodcut initials and illustrations, later vellum, blue edges, lacking 4 text leaves (P3-4, Q2 and Q5), small stain on title-page, a few small stains in lower margin at end, cut close at head, lacking 2 pairs of green silk ties

Bought from Dörhling (Hamburg), June 1987

IA 119.075 (under Bidpai); VD16 J378 (listing 3 copies)

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

RARE. These popular Indian animal fables, the Panchatantra, were translated probably from Hindu into Persian and then in the twelfth century into Hebrew by Rabbi Joel. In the thirteenth century Johannes de Capua translated the Ηebrew into Latin, under the title Directorium humanae vitae. This German translation is by Antonius von Pforr (died 1483). This is the first Grüninger edition, with new woodcuts, typical of the Strassburg style found in Grüninger's works.